Saving the environment

The environment will be under the spotlight again when the world celebrates World Environment Day (WED) on Tuesday. The annual event is an opportunity to reflect on protecting and preserving our environment which is facing a multitude of challenges. The event has gained impetus with the Rio Earth Summit just a couple of weeks away.

One inescapable fact is that the environment is intricately linked with the global economy. Economic activities from power generation to transport have a great impact on the environment. A tree somewhere in the world was felled to produce the paper that this very article is printed on. That is just one example of the impact of our activities on the environment.

This is why the UN Environment Program has chosen the theme “Green Economy: Does It Include You?” for WED 2012. The basic idea is that our economic activities can go “green” (environmentally-friendly) and individuals and individual actions can contribute to protecting the environment, even in a small way. If you replace a 100 Watt incandescent bulb with a new 10 Watt LED bulb, you will be effecting a 90 percent energy saving which in turn has a direct bearing on the country’s power generation system. As this example shows, it is easy to be part of the green economy even at individual or family levels.

However, for those who need a more scientific explanation, the UNEP defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalysed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.

Idea

Although this sounds complex, the core idea is rather simple. We must move away from practices that damage the environment at individual, corporate and government levels. Saving the environment should be a priority for all. To make matters easier, the UNEP has identified 10 core sectors (but there is no limit to what we can think of): Buildings, Fisheries, Forestry, Transport, Water, Agriculture, Energy, Tourism, Waste and Manufacturing and Industry. These are all part of the emerging Green Economy.

A modern building is perhaps the best example for showing how environmental friendly practices can be integrated into the construction phase itself. A building can be designed to let the maximum amount of sunlight in during the daytime so that lighting costs can be reduced. Solar panels can be installed to provide additional power and LED or fluorescent bulbs can be installed throughout. A rainwater collection system and waste-water treatment system can reduce water consumption. Sensor taps in bathrooms help save water, because they stop the flow once you take your hands away. Rooftop or balcony gardens not only add allure but also help generate pure Oxygen.

Lifts and escalators can be programmed to run more efficiently. There are air-conditioning systems which detect the presence of people and turn off automatically if no one is around. This way, power will be saved even if someone forgets to turn it off. Fans can be installed in places where air-conditioning is not essential. The installation of LED monitors for computers can also drastically reduce power consumption.

A central system that monitors all these functions is also essential.

While this example illustrates how a building can meet environmental protection criteria, one has to take the human element too into consideration. This is where the “Does It Include You” part comes in. If you work in a high-rise, do you really need to take the elevator to go the sixth floor from the fifth floor? You can take the stairs, which is also more beneficial to your health. If you go out for one hour, why not turn off your computer and overhead light? If you are the last to leave the room or partition, why not turn the lights out? These are simple steps that can positively contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.

Role

Transport is another area in which individuals as well as governments can play a major role. If the public transport system is well organised, clean, comfortable, efficient and extensive, more people will opt to leave their cars at home. Just five cars left at home per day could mean a lot in terms of fuel savings and emissions reduction. How about public buses and taxis that run on cleaner fuel such as Compressed Natural Gas? These are matters that the authorities should ponder on.

Individually too, we can make a difference. There is no need to take the car to buy the newspaper if the junction is just one kilometre away. And do make use of the telephone – phone ahead to see whether that shop you are planning to visit is open. That saves fuel and time. Do take the bus for a short hop. If you have non-essential journeys, avoid the rush hour.

Saving water too is not difficult. All newly built houses should have a rainwater collection system. It could be cheaper in the long run to wash your car at a car wash rather than at home. When you shave or wash your face, how about using a bowl instead of using running water? You will be saving litres of water.

How about making compost from household waste? Why not buy soft drinks in recyclable glass bottles? When you travel to another area as a tourist, see whether you can just walk around exploring the sights without hiring a car.

These are just a few ways in which we can include ourselves in greening the economy. It is not a big task if we are determined to save our Planet Earth.